End stop for reclosable pouch and method of producing same

Abstract

A reclosable pouch includes a closure assembly secured to pouch walls and a slider disposed on the closure assembly and movable between open and closed positions. The pouch further includes an end stop disposed at an end of the closure assembly and including a first portion secured to the pouch adjacent the closure assembly and a second portion extending from the first portion and deflected into secure engagement with the pouch.

1 . A reclosable pouch, comprising: 
 a closure assembly secured to pouch walls;    a slider movable on the closure assembly between open and closed positions; and    an end stop disposed at an end of the closure assembly, the end stop including a first portion secured to the pouch adjacent the closure assembly and a second portion extending from the first portion and deflected into secure engagement with the pouch.    
   
   
       2 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the end stop is formed from a flange having the first portion secured to a portion of the pouch and the second portion.  
   
   
       3 . The pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the flange is spaced from the closure assembly at locations away from the end stop such that the second flange portion does not interfere with travel of the slider at intermediate portions of a slider travel path.  
   
   
       4 . The pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the flange extends an entire width of the pouch.  
   
   
       5 . The pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the flange extends between and proximate sides of the pouch.  
   
   
       6 . The pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the flange comprises a bulbous head.  
   
   
       7 . The pouch of  claim 6 , wherein the bulbous head is secured to the closure assembly at an end thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The pouch of  claim 6 , wherein the bulbous head is deflected upward into secure engagement with the closure assembly.  
   
   
       9 . The pouch of  claim 6 , wherein the bulbous head is secured to the pouch only at an end thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein a narrowed intermediate portion connects the first portion and the second portion.  
   
   
       11 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the end stop is heat staked to the pouch.  
   
   
       12 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the closure assembly includes a slider retention rail wherein the end stop is disposed below the slider retention rail.  
   
   
       13 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the end stop is adapted to prevent the slider from being removed from the closure assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein an end stop is disposed at both ends of the closure assembly.  
   
   
       15 . A method of producing an end stop for a reclosable pouch, the method comprising the steps of: 
 applying a first portion of a plastic member to a surface of the pouch proximate a closure assembly; and    forming an end stop by attaching a second portion of the plastic member to the pouch at a position proximate a side portion thereof.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of applying includes the step of positioning the first portion a distance from the closure assembly such that the first portion does not interfere with travel of the slider at intermediate portions of a slider travel path.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of forming further includes the step of securing the second portion to the closure assembly at an end thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of securing includes the step of deflecting the second portion upward into secure engagement with the closure assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of forming further includes the step of fusing the second portion to the pouch.